The number of foreign tourists arriving on flights to Lanzarote from across Europe grew again last month by 13.99%, according to the latest data just released by AENA, the Spanish airport authority. As tourism in the Canaries grew by 15% versus May 2010 figures.

The latest data just released by AENA reveals that a total of 119,020 foreign tourists touched down at Arrecife airport last month. An increase in passenger numbers of 13.99% versus May 2010, when the island welcomed 104,417 non Spanish arrivals. And overall, according to AENA, the level of tourists coming to the Canaries rose by some 892,540 passengers or 25.45% for the first five months of this year when compared with the statistics compiled for 2010.

Fuerteventura was the island that welcomed the highest increase in tourist visitors during May, with 18.41% more holidaymakers touching down on its shores, compared with the same month in 2010.

Whilst Tenerife remains the most popular holiday destination in the Canaries with 231,787 foreign visitors arriving during last month, an increase of 44,109 over those visiting in May 2010. With Gran Canaria not far behind, with some 157,264 visitors holidaying there last month, representing a smaller rise of only 3.18% in comparison with last year.

Britain and Germany remain the main engine rooms for the tourist sector in both Lanzarote and the Canaries as a whole. Whilst newer, smaller markets are also recording growth. Such as France, with visitor numbers up by 91.22% during May. And Italy, with tourist visits up by 84.73%.

Overall for the year to date Lanzarote has now welcomed 709,784 foreign visitors – an increase of 21.16% versus the same period in 2010.